log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline SATURDAY MAY 4, 2024 GOA UK Goans mark 50th anniversary of Portugal’s Carnation Revolution Goa’s Festakar makes waves in Kenya IN SHORT >> 4 suspects in Mapusa temple robbery case held in Maharashtra MAPUSA: Four persons who stole cash of about Rs 10-12 lakh from the Shri Dev Bodgeshwar temple in Mapusa, after confronting and tying the security guard in the wee hours of Monday, were arrested in Khopoli-Maharashtra. Cash of Rs 7 lakh, three mobile phones and three screw drivers have been seized from the suspects.  >> See pg 2 Power demand surges as temperature rises PANAJI: The persistent heat wave conditions this year have had their impact on power consumption patterns in Goa with the daily peak load constantly breaching the 800 megawatts mark for over three weeks now. Last year, the highest daily peak load in Goa was around 780 MW.  >> See pg 3 Call for halt in beach activities for 2 days PANAJI: The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services has advised total suspension of operational and recreational activities at beaches and near shore regions on Saturday and Sunday, after warning of swells combined with high tide conditions which can cause coastal flooding in low-lying areas of Goa and other coastal states.  >> See pg 2 Farmagudi NEET Centre relocated PANAJI: Director of Technical Education, Vivek Kamat has said one of the centres for the NEET undergraduate examination slated to be held on May 5 at Farmagudi has been relocated to the new campus in Cuncolim of the National Institute of Technology.  >> See pg 3 Rahul files papers from Rae Bareli >> See pg 9  WEATHER >> Max: 34 C Min: 24 C Humidity: 77% TIDES Low: High: 00:37 12:08 06:15 19:05 The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 15 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME IX, NO. 317 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 3 2 10 Govt gears up to combat noise pollution, notifies ‘action plan’ Cuncolim cynosure of all eyes as Oppn leader, CM vie for electoral dominance page 8 Facebook.com/thegoan GOA Tharoor slams BJP for one-nation one-poll, Hindu Rashtra philosophy INFO Incredible ways to use aloe vera for a complete beauty care LISTS MECHANISMS FOR GEOGRAPHIC MAPPING, MONITORING THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The State government, often facing severe criticism over its mediocre performance in curbing noise pollution beyond 10 pm particularly in the coastal tourism belt, is bracing to take a renewed shot at the task with a new 'action plan'. The new plan notified by the government lists out mechanisms for geographic mapping of noise/loud sound and also for monitoring it. It also specifies penalties for violation of the sound law and recommends some remedial measures. Calling it the ‘Amended Noise Action Plan’ the government notification says it aims to "streamline" the processes related to curbing noise pollution in the entire State and is sequel to an assurance to this effect given by the Advocate General Devidas Pangam to THE AMENDED NOISE ACTION PLAN „„Specifies penalties for violation of sound law and recommends remedial measures „„Aims to ‘streamline’ processes related to curbing noise pollution in the entire State „„Measures included are application processes to secure permissions for use of amplified sound, penalties „„Lists timings for permitting loudspeakers and the Bombay High Court at Goa last week. Some measures included in the new action plan are the application processes to secure permissions for use of amplified sound, penalties, the timings for permitting loudspeakers and the rules re- rules related to bursting firecrackers besides decibel limits applicable for vehicles of different types „„Is sequel to an assurance given by Advocate General Devidas Pangam to the Bombay High Court at Goa last week lated to bursting firecrackers besides decibel limits applicable for vehicles of different types. Interestingly, the new action plan has very few changes from the plan which the State government had notified only in March this year. ON THE FLIP SIDE „„New action plan has very few changes from the plan which the government had notified in March this year „„The new plan continues list landline numbers of two Collectorates instead of cell phone numbers of the designated officials Another lacunae in the new action plan, perhaps due to oversight, is the continued listing of landline numbers of the two Collectorates instead of cell phone numbers of the designated officials. During the April 30 hearing, the bench of the Bombay High Court at Goa had specifically questioned why the March 14 notification had listed landline numbers of the collector's offices for the public to report noise law violations. KKR breaks 12-year Wankhede jinx with 24 run-win against MI 15 Political storm over molestation charges against Bengal Gov PTI KOLKATA The political tussle over a complaint by a Raj Bhavan woman employee who accused Governor C V Ananda Bose of “molesting” her escalated with the Governor dubbing the allegations as “absurd drama” and CM Mamata Banerjee attacking him, calling the charges “shameful and distressing”. The police remained tightlipped over their action in the matter. “All necessary steps are being taken following the complaint by the woman,” a senior police official said. A contractual woman employee on Thursday evening had lodged a police complaint at the Hare Street Police station accusing Bose of molesting her and a host of TMC leaders posted on social media about the incident dubbing the incident as “horrific and appalling.” Banerjee dubbed the incident as “deeply distressing”, and claimed that the same governor who showed great urgency in reaching Sandesh- A contractual woman employee of Raj Bhavan had lodged a police complaint accusing Bose of molesting her even as a host of TMC leaders posted on social media about the incident dubbing it as ‘horrific and appalling’ khali now stands accused of molesting a female staff”. Earlier in the day, Bose said he expected more such allegations to surface but that would not deter him from his “determined efforts to expose corruption and curb violence” in the state. In a recorded statement released by Raj Bhavan, Bose said, “I welcome all the generous allegations and the frequent innuendoes passed on me by some political forces. I understand, my friends, there is more in the offing. But one thing is clear, none of the absurd dramas is going to deter me from my determined efforts to expose corruption and curb violence.” Shah delivers another Modi guarantee, Ray of hope for Kejriwal, SC vows full mining restart within 2 yrs may consider interim bail HAILS TEMPLE TRIUMPH, SLAMS OPPN ALLIANCE LEADERSHIP THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA Under the stewardship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, significant strides are being made in Goa's mining sector, said Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday and expressed confidence that within the span of two years, the mining industry in Goa would be back in full operation, bringing a boon to the state's economy. "Due to the Supreme Court judgment, the mining industry came to a standstill in Goa. However, thanks to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant's persistent efforts and advocacy for mining dependents, we were able to secure the auctioning of mining blocks. Presently, eight blocks have been allocated, with mining activities already commenced in one. I give you Modi ka guarantee that within two years, the mining industry will flourish once again," asserted Shah amidst resounding applause from the audience at a well-attended public rally in Mapusa. Drawing parallels to recent achievements, Shah highlighted the expeditious com- 62-year-old man dies during BJP’s public meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah waves to the crowd in the presence of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and other BJP leaders in Mapusa on Friday. pletion of the Ram temple project in Ayodhya, contrasting it with the decades-long delay under previous administrations. "What the Congress couldn't achieve in 70 years, Modi accomplished within five. Not only did he navigate the legal complexities surrounding the Ram temple, but he also oversaw its ground-breaking ceremony and idol consecration," Shah remarked, evoking enthusias- tic cheers from the crowd. Despite extending invitations to prominent opposition figures, including Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Sharad Pawar, Shah noted their conspicuous absence at the temple's consecration. "Their reluctance to attend reflects their fear of losing their vote bank. Unlike them, we are not beholden to such >Continued on P5 MAPUSA: A 62-year-old man from Kudne-Bicholim died while attending the BJP’s public meeting at Mapusa addressed by Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday evening. Babuso Verekar had participated in the BJP public meeting, but felt uneasy while the meeting was in progress. He was immediately shifted to the Mapusa District Hospital in a 108 ambulance, but doctors declared him dead on arrival. It is believed that he may have died of a heart attack. After the public meeting ended, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant went to the District Hospital and expressed condolences over the demise of Verekar. SAWANT ACCUSES CONGRESS OF PLUNDER, RELIGIOUS POLARISATION >> See pg 3 Goan Labour trio secures Swindon Council seats LUI GODINHO THE GOAN I LONDON I t was a clean sweep for Goan candidates of the Labour Party contesting elections to vacant seats at the Swindon Borough Council in the UK on Thursday, as all three candidates won in their respective wards after counting of votes ended on Friday. The winning candidates were Domingos Seby Dias (Central Ward) who hails from Panaji, Ana Fernandes (Rodbourne Cheney) who hails from Cansaulim, and Princia Fernandes (Gorse Hill & Pinehurst), who hails from Mapusa. The Goan candidates had contested elections to the vacant seats at the Swindon Council in a bid to actively participate in local decision-mak- The Bench had raised doubts whether there would be anyone in the Collector's office to attend to these calls at 11 pm and beyond, during last week's hearing of the PIL against noise pollution. The PIL was instituted by the High Court a year ago when Sagardeep Sirsaikar, Arnold D’Sa and other petitioners claimed the authorities are in contempt of past orders for failing to intervene with a more forceful hand against widespread use of amplified sound for outdoor events and gatherings. During last week's hearing of the PIL, the HC Bench also directed the Goa State Pollution Control Board, one of the key technical and statutory agencies responsible for curbing sound pollution, to make a statement at the next hearing slated for May 6, on the status of licensed premises installing functional noise monitoring systems. SPORTS LABOUR POWER: [From L to R]: Councillors Adorabelle Amaral-Shaikh, Princia Fernandes, Domingos Seby Dias and Ana Fernandes, and Swindon Deputy Mayor Imtiyaz Sheikh. ing processes and get involved in activities and issues involving the community. Local Labour leader and Swindon Deputy Mayor Im- tiyaz Sheikh, who hails from Vasco, was elated over the success of all three Labour candidates of Goan origin. “Delighted that Labour Swindon have been elected to run Swindon Council again. We are humbled by this kind of support and committed to creating the better, greener, and more equitable Swindon that its citizens deserve,” said Shaikh. “Fantastic to see so many improvements and a mandate for the Swindon Plan. Furthermore, I want to express my gratitude to everyone who voted for and supported Ana, Seby, and Princia, our Labour Goan candidates. I assure that all of us will keep tirelessly working for the betterment of Swindon.” DOMINGOS DIAS Domingos Dias said he was deeply humbled and honoured to be the newly elected representative. “I extend my sincere thanks to my family for their unwavering support, encouragement, and sacrifices throughout this campaign,” said Domingos, in a message to the electorate. “To all my associates, volunteers, and supporters who worked tirelessly by my side, thank you for your dedication and commitment to our shared vision. It is because of your hard work and passion that we stand here today, on this journey together.” “As your elected representative, I want to assure you that I am fully committed to serving the needs and interests of our community. I pledge to listen to your concerns, your rights, and work tirelessly to address the issues that matter most to each and every one of you.” “Together, we will strive >Continued on P5 PTI NEW DELHI The Supreme Court on Friday said it may consider granting interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in view of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, in a ray of hope to the AAP chief arrested in the excise policy-linked money laundering case. Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 and is currently lodged in Tihar jail. A bench of justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta told the ED that arguments on Kejriwal's plea against his arrest are likely to take time and therefore it was considering hearing the probe agency on the issue of interim bail to him on account of Lok Sabha elections in Delhi. Delhi goes to polls on May 25. It then told Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, appearing for the ED, to be ready with the case on May 7.